I shall love you trewely;
But one thing I forbid straitlý,
You must not utter a word apérte
Which might our love make discovérte.
I will give unto you richlý,
Gold and silver, clothes, and fee.
Much love shall be between us two—
Night and day I'll go to you:
You'll see me come to you alwáy—
With me laugh and talk you may.
You shall no comrade have to see,
Or who shall know my privacy,
Take care now that you do not boast
Of things by which I may be lost.
The lady says to Lanval,
When you would speak to me of ought—
You must in no place form the thought
Where no one could meet his amie
Without reproach and villainie—
I will be presently with you,
All your commands ready to do;
No one but you will me see,
Or hear the words that come from me.
She also had previously imposed on the knight the obligation of secresy.
As a further proof of the identity of the Korrigan and the Gallicenæ, it may be remarked, that in the evidently very ancient Breton poem, Ar-Rannou, or The Series, we meet the following passage:—"There are nine Korrigen, who dance, with flowers in their hair, and robes of white wool, around the fountain, by the light of the full moon."[475]
Lai D'ywenec.
I have in thought and purpose too,
Of Ywenec to tellen you—
Of whom he born was, his sire's fame,
How first he to his mother came.
He who did beget Ywenec
Y-cleped was Eudemarec.
There formerly lived in Britain a man who was rich and old. He was Avoez or governor of Caerwent on the Doglas, and lord of the surrounding country. Desirous of having an heir to his estates, he espoused a maiden "courteous and sage, and passing fair." She was given to him because he was rich, and loved by him for her beauty. Why should I say more, but that her match was not to be found between Lincoln and Ireland? "Great sin did they who gave her him," adds the poet.